Mahana urged the government to consider a strong policy framework so that exemplary punishment is awarded in proven cases.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Tuesday told the state Assembly that cyber offences, including the circulation of obscene and offensive content on the social media, can attract fine of up to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment up to seven years and asserted that the government has put in place a robust mechanism to deal with such cases.
Khanna was replying to a query raised during the Question Hour by Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator HN Singh Patel who flagged the issue of “abusive content” on social media and biased action in certain cases. Citing an example from his constituency Sagdhi in Azamgarh, he sought the government’s reply on what action is taken in such cases.
Khanna said such cases are reported by district superintendents of police (DSP) and station house officers (SHO) to the cyber wing, including the DIG (cyber), through which the objectionable content can be swiftly taken down, even when the servers are located abroad. He said that in matters related to national security, the special secretary (home) has been authorised to take cognisance and initiate appropriate action. “Action is taken strictly in accordance with the nature of the complaint received,” Khanna said.
Intervening in the discussion, Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana said the issue is of great importance, particularly for those in public and political life, who are often affected by misinformation and abusive online comments.
“Until strict punishment is meted out to a few people, the message will not go out,” Mahana said, adding that while everyone has the right to express views, the spread of false information, obscene language and objectionable content on social media is unfortunate and needs to be curbed effectively.
Khanna said the government has strengthened cyber policing across the state, asserting that earlier only two police stations in Lucknow and Noida, handled cybercrime cases, while now cyber facilities are available in every district and police station. He said 84,705 personnel have been trained so far, and more than 65,000 awareness camps have been organised at the police station level.